Cyprus Ministry of Education official to face trial over sexual harassment case

An official from the Cyprus Ministry of Education will face trial over allegations of sexual harassment and indecent behavior. The case stems from two complaints filed with the police and subsequently referred to the Legal Service.

The first complaint concerns an incident that, according to the victim, occurred 22 years ago when she was a minor. The second complaint was filed at the end of August this year by a ministry employee who claims to have been harassed at the workplace.

The police unit handling cases involving vulnerable persons had previously reviewed the first complaint and referred it to the Legal Service with a recommendation to initiate criminal proceedings. After receiving the second complaint, both cases were combined, and a decision was made to refer the materials to court.

By order of the Nicosia prosecutor’s office, the indictment must be prepared as soon as possible and submitted to the District Court. At the same time, a letter was sent to the Minister of Education requesting consideration of suspending the official from duties or taking other measures.

It is noted that in 2023 the ministry conducted an internal review of the first complaint, submitted directly to Minister Afina Michaelidou, but no violations were found at that time.